AMD Ryzen Embedded R2312 vs Intel Core i5-4440 Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has more physical cores?

A: The Intel Core i5-4440 has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the AMD Ryzen Embedded R2312 has 2 cores and 4 threads. The Intel part offers twice the physical core count.

Q: How do their benchmark scores compare overall?

A: The Intel Core i5-4440 holds an average benchmark score of 1179, while the AMD Ryzen Embedded R2312 scores 1156. The Intel part is approximately 2% higher on average, though both sit at the 33rd percentile among all CPUs in the database.

Q: Which CPU supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded R2312 supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core i5-4440 does not. This makes the AMD part more suitable for error-sensitive workloads.

Q: What is the difference in memory technology?

A: The Intel Core i5-4440 uses DDR3 with a dual-channel bus, while the AMD Ryzen Embedded R2312 uses DDR4 with a dual-channel bus and a recorded memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded R2312 boosts to 3.50 GHz, which is higher than the Intel Core i5-4440's boost of 3.30 GHz. However, the Intel part has a higher base clock at 3.10 GHz versus 2.70 GHz.

Q: How does the integrated graphics compare?

A: The Intel Core i5-4440 includes Intel HD 4600 graphics, while the AMD Ryzen Embedded R2312 includes Radeon Vega 3 graphics. The database does not provide direct graphics benchmark comparisons between the two.

Where Each One Wins

The recorded benchmark data shows a clear split: the Intel Core i5-4440 wins all five head-to-head Cinebench tests, covering both single-core and multi-core workloads. The Intel part leads by 21.3% to 21.4% across every tested metric, including R15 multi-core, R20 multi-core, R20 single-core, R23 multi-core, and R23 single-core.

The AMD Ryzen Embedded R2312 does not win any of the five head-to-head benchmarks. However, its advantage lies outside raw compute benchmarks. The AMD part supports ECC memory, which the Intel part lacks, and it uses DDR4 instead of DDR3. The AMD chip also has a dramatically lower TDP of 15 watts versus 84 watts for the Intel part. For workloads that prioritize memory integrity, lower power draw, or modern platform features over raw Cinebench throughput, the AMD part is the more practical choice.

The Intel Core i5-4440 is the pick for any application that scales with core count. Its 4 physical cores versus 2 give it a structural advantage in multi-threaded tasks, which is reflected in the consistent 21% lead across multi-core tests. The Intel part also wins single-core tests by the same margin, despite the AMD chip's higher boost clock, indicating that the older Haswell architecture delivers stronger per-clock performance in these benchmarks.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural eras and design philosophies. The Intel Core i5-4440 uses the Haswell architecture, built on Intel's 22 nm process with 1,400 million transistors on a 177 mm² die. The AMD Ryzen Embedded R2312 uses the Zen+ architecture, specifically the Picasso codename, built on GlobalFoundries' 12 nm process with 4,940 million transistors on a 210 mm² die.

The core layouts differ substantially. The Intel part has 4 cores with 4 threads, while the AMD part has 2 cores with 4 threads, relying on simultaneous multithreading to reach four threads. Cache hierarchies also vary: the Intel part provides 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, plus 6 MB of shared L3. The AMD part provides 96 KB of L1 and 512 KB of L2 per core, but only 4 MB of shared L3.

Memory architecture is another differentiator. The Intel part uses DDR3, while the AMD part uses DDR4 with a measured 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. The AMD part also supports ECC memory, a feature absent from the Intel chip. Both use PCIe Gen 3, but the AMD part specifies 8 lanes from the CPU, while the Intel part lists no lane count in the database.

The AMD Ryzen Embedded R2312 belongs to the Ryzen Embedded 2000 series, which positions it for embedded and industrial applications. The Intel Core i5-4440 is a mainstream desktop part from the Haswell generation. The AMD part remains in active production, while the Intel part's production status is not recorded.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ across nearly every specification field. The Intel Core i5-4440 has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the AMD Ryzen Embedded R2312 has 2 cores and 4 threads. Base clocks are 3.10 GHz for Intel and 2.70 GHz for AMD. Boost clocks are 3.30 GHz for Intel and 3.50 GHz for AMD.

TDP is a major difference: the Intel part is rated at 84 watts, while the AMD part is rated at 15 watts. Sockets differ completely: Intel uses Socket 1150, while AMD uses Socket FP5. Process nodes are 22 nm for Intel and 12 nm for AMD.

Cache configurations differ as noted: Intel has 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core with 6 MB shared L3; AMD has 96 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core with 4 MB shared L3. Memory support is DDR3 for Intel and DDR4 for AMD, with the AMD part specifying 38.4 GB/s bandwidth and ECC support.

Integrated graphics are Intel HD 4600 on the Intel part and Radeon Vega 3 on the AMD part. The Intel part has a part number of SR14F, while the AMD part uses YE2312C4T2OFH. Neither CPU has an unlocked multiplier. Release dates are far apart: the Intel part launched in 2013, while the AMD part launched in 2022.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core i5-4440 wins all five recorded head-to-head tests, and the margins are remarkably consistent. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Intel part scores 410 against the AMD's 338, a 21.3% advantage. In R20 multi-core, Intel scores 1712 against 1410, a 21.4% lead.

Single-core results follow the same pattern. In Cinebench R20 single-core, Intel scores 241 against AMD's 199, a 21.1% lead. In R23 single-core, Intel scores 575 against AMD's 474, a 21.3% advantage. Finally, in R23 multi-core, Intel scores 4077 against AMD's 3359, another 21.4% lead.

The consistency of these deltas suggests a fundamental throughput advantage for the Intel architecture in Cinebench workloads, regardless of thread count. The AMD part's higher boost clock of 3.50 GHz does not translate into a win in any test, as the Intel part's 3.30 GHz boost still produces higher scores.

For context, the Intel Core i5-4440's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-3550 with an average score of 1178 (0.1% difference) and the Intel Core i5-2400 at 1187 (-0.7%). The AMD Ryzen Embedded R2312's nearest rivals include the AMD Opteron 4334 at 1155 (0.1%) and the Intel Core i5-4430 at 1149 (0.6%). Both CPUs sit at the 33rd percentile among all CPUs, indicating they occupy similar overall performance tiers despite the head-to-head sweep.

The Verdict

The data points to a straightforward conclusion for raw compute performance: the Intel Core i5-4440 is the faster CPU. It wins every Cinebench test by roughly 21%, and its 4 physical cores give it a structural edge that the AMD part cannot overcome despite its higher boost clock and newer process node.

Choose the Intel Core i5-4440 if your priority is maximum multi-threaded and single-threaded performance in CPU-bound applications. Its 4 cores and 4 threads deliver 410 to 4077 points across the Cinebench suite, consistently outperforming the AMD part. The Intel chip also has a higher base clock of 3.10 GHz, which helps in sustained workloads that do not hit boost frequencies.

Choose the AMD Ryzen Embedded R2312 if your priority is platform features, power efficiency, or memory integrity. The AMD part supports ECC memory, which is critical for servers, workstations, or embedded systems where data corruption is unacceptable. Its 15 watt TDP is a fraction of the Intel part's 84 watts, making it suitable for passively cooled or power-constrained designs. The DDR4 support with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth also offers a modern memory interface.

The AMD part is in active production, while the Intel part's production status is not recorded. For new designs requiring long-term availability, the AMD Ryzen Embedded R2312 is the safer choice. For raw performance in existing systems or applications that favor core count, the Intel Core i5-4440 remains competitive even though it is an older design.

Both CPUs sit at the 33rd percentile in the database, meaning neither is a high-end performer. The Intel part is the better compute option; the AMD part is the better embedded and efficiency option. The deciding factor should be your workload's requirements, not just benchmark scores.